How to return an array from a function to the main script

Question

I wrote the following code in order to find the newest files added in three different folders. I have stored the directories of the folders in an array called path. I also store the names of the newest files in another array.

$path[0] = "/Applications/MAMP/htdocs/php_test/check";
$path[1] = "/Applications/MAMP/htdocs/php_test/check2";
$path[2] = "/Applications/MAMP/htdocs/php_test/check3";

for ($i=0; $i<=2; $i++){

$path_last = $path[$i]; // set the path
$latest_ctime = 0;
$latest_filename = '';    

 $d = dir($path_last);
while (false !== ($entry = $d->read())) {
  $filepath = "{$path_last}/{$entry}";
  if (is_file($filepath) && filectime($filepath) > $latest_ctime) {
$latest_ctime = filectime($filepath);
$latest_filename = $entry;
$array[$i] = $latest_filename ; // assign the names of the latest files in an array.
   }
  }

Everything works fine but now I try to put the same code in a function and call it in my main script. I use this code in order to call it:

   include 'last_file.php'; // Include the function last_file
   $last_file = last_file();  // assign to the function a variable and call the function

I am not sure if this is correct. What I want to do is to return the array in my main script .. I hope it's clear here what I am trying to explain. Thanks D.

This is the last_file function:

    function last_file(){

        for ($i=0; $i<=2; $i++){

     $path_last = $path[$i]; // set the path
      $latest_ctime = 0;
       $latest_filename = '';    

      $d = dir($path_last);
     while (false !== ($entry = $d->read())) {
      $filepath = "{$path_last}/{$entry}";
      // could do also other checks than just checking whether the entry is a file
       if (is_file($filepath) && filectime($filepath) > $latest_ctime) {
        $latest_ctime = filectime($filepath);
        $latest_filename = $entry;
     $array[$i] = $latest_filename ; // assign the names of the latest files in an   array.
        }
      }

    return $array;

      }//end loop
      }//end function

Show your last_file function. You may just need to return the array. — Nathan Moinvaziri
– Nathan Moinvaziri, Commented Nov 10, 2012 at 20:03
The last line of your function should be return $array; assuming $array is the one you wish to return. — Michael Berkowski
– Michael Berkowski, Commented Nov 10, 2012 at 20:04
After seeing your code - move that return $array; outside the loop, before the function's closing } — Michael Berkowski
– Michael Berkowski, Commented Nov 10, 2012 at 20:07
Thanx. I did it. The problem is that I don't know how to call the array in my main source code. For example, how can I have access of array[0] somewhere in my script? — user1919
– user1919, Commented Nov 10, 2012 at 20:16

FtDRbwLXw6 · Accepted Answer · 2012-11-10 20:05:52Z

2

You are confusing a function with a file. Your code is put in files. Within those files, you can define functions:

<?php
// This is inside last_file.php

function someFunction {
    // Do stuff.
}

To use someFunction() in another file, you first include last_file.php and then call someFunction():

<?php
// This is inside some other file.

include 'last_file.php';

someFunction();

answered Nov 10, 2012 at 20:05

FtDRbwLXw6

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Idiot211 · Accepted Answer · 2012-11-10 20:04:53Z

1

If you put it in a function, you need to return it like so.

function func_name()
{
$path[0] = "/Applications/MAMP/htdocs/php_test/check";
$path[1] = "/Applications/MAMP/htdocs/php_test/check2";
$path[2] = "/Applications/MAMP/htdocs/php_test/check3";

for ($i=0; $i<=2; $i++){

$path_last = $path[$i]; // set the path
$latest_ctime = 0;
$latest_filename = '';    

 $d = dir($path_last);
while (false !== ($entry = $d->read())) {
  $filepath = "{$path_last}/{$entry}";
  if (is_file($filepath) && filectime($filepath) > $latest_ctime) {
$latest_ctime = filectime($filepath);
$latest_filename = $entry;
$array[$i] = $latest_filename ; // assign the names of the latest files in an array.
return $array;
}

Then when you call that function and assign it to a variable you will get the contents of $array

$contentsFromFunction = func_name();

answered Nov 10, 2012 at 20:04

Idiot211

8587 silver badges17 bronze badges

7 Comments

user1919 Over a year ago

I do this but then in the main source how can I use the array for something like thi: $file_path[0] = "/Applications/MAMP/htdocs/".$array[0];

user1919 Over a year ago

Thanx. I did it. The problem is that I don't know how to call the array in my main source code. For example, how can I have access of array[0] somewhere in my script?

Idiot211 Over a year ago

In my example, you would then call $contentsFromFunction[0] So when you call $contentsFromFunction = func_name(); Whatever was in $array in the function func_name() is now in $contentsFromFunction.

user1919 Over a year ago

I assign the function like this: $last_file = last_file(); And then I want to use the array value like this: $file_path = "/Applications/MAMP/htdocs/php_test/check/".$last_file[0]; But it doesn't seem to work!

Idiot211 Over a year ago

What's in the $last_file variable? You can find out using var_dump($last_file);

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